Prairie Public Broadcasting

Energy infrastructure needed in ND BISMARCK, ND (NDPR) - Senator Byron Dorgan says with North Dakota's energy production rising, the infrastructure to get that energy to market is reaching capacity.

And Dorgan says it will call for investment in pipelines, power lines and rail lines to get that energy to market. That was the focus of a Senate
Appropriation Subcommittee hearing held in Bismarck Wednesday.

"This state is going to play a prominent and significant role in this country's energy future," said Dorgan. "That's good news for the country, and great news for North Dakota. But it will present challenges."

One of those challenges is the energy infrastructure.

"If we're going to make the most of our domestic energy sources, we need to get serious about the infrastructure for getting the energy from where it is to where it needs to be," said Congressman Earl Pomeroy.

Dorgan also wants to expand refining capacity. He says reports of shortages of gasoline supplies over the past few weeks show the need for that.

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